Master's in Sport Management

In addition to three core classes, the Sport Management program includes 15-18 credits of required coursework that includes a three credit capstone project or six credit field experience (see handbook below) and three to six credits of electives.

SPRT624 Field Experience Handbook

Projected Course Sequence

Learn more about the program through our Graduate Handbook.

Sport Management Track Requirements (30 credits)

Core (9 credits)

• SPMG600: Research Methods in Sport Science
• SPMG601: Sport in American Culture
• SPMG602: Ethics in Sport

Required (15-18 credits)

• SPMG620: Leadership in Sport Organizations
• SPMG621: Financial Management in Sport
• SPMG622: Marketing and Public Relations in Sport
• SPMG623: Legal and Policy Issues in Sport
• SPMG630: Capstone Project (3 credits) OR SPRT624: Advanced Field Experience (6 credits)

Electives (3-6 credits)

• SPMG615: Seminar in Sport Science
• SPMG640: The Global Soccer Industry
• SPMG642: International Sport Organization
• SPMG644: Sport in the Global Marketplace

In addition to three core classes, the International Sport Management track includes 15-18 credits of required coursework that includes a three credit capstone project or six credit field experience (see handbook below) and three to six credits of electives. This specialized Master level concentration will provide a number of opportunities in the department to leverage international sport management that will allow for our students to get experience to put on their resume.

Enhance your expertise in:

• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Legal and Policy Issues
• Global Soccer Industry
• International Sport Organization
• Governance

Perhaps now more than ever, our society and culture recognizes the magnitude and scope of the global sport industry and its influence. Executives, partners, managers, coaches, athletes, and professionals throughout the industry understand the increasing demands of competition, media attention, sponsor engagement, sustainability, and fan interaction. We provide advanced preparation for those who want to pursue careers in these areas. In our program, students have the opportunity to study core aspects of the interrelationships among the marketing, governance, financial, leadership, and cultural aspects of sport management, in the United States and around the world.

International Sport Management Track Sheet

Sport Science Program Curriculum

Course Sequence

International Track Information

Graduate Manual

1. Formulate strong understanding of research methods and the foundations underlying
   sport science including socio-cultural, philosophical, and psychological perspectives.
2. Dissect and synthesize research to develop a full comprehension of current knowledge
   base and design related investigations.
3. Evaluate the influence of key social institutions (gender, race, social class) on sport
   management, and to integrate these factors in one's professional work.
4. Interpret philosophical principles and assess ethical issues related to sport. Articulate a
   personal philosophy regarding social responsibility in sport.
5. Classify hierarchies in sport organizations and model how to resolve conflicts between
   competing parties through effective leadership and personnel management.
6. Manage sport events including planning, evaluating, marketing, and public relations.
7. Create the vision and goals, including financial, of an organization and successfully
   convey and gain commitment to them.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of legal issues relevant to sport organizations, including sport personnel and the ability to determine appropriate solutions to legal problems.

To complete the admissions process, students must submit:

• Online application
• $35 application fee
• Official college transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of professional goals

Additional Information

• Application materials may be sent electronically to gradadmissions@commonwealthu.edu or submitted through your application portal.
• Commonwealth University graduates do not need to request transcripts; the Office of Admissions will do this on your behalf.
• Students also have the option of registering for up to three courses as a non-degree seeking student and have those courses automatically transfer to degree seeking status upon official enrollment in the program. If you would like to register for courses as a non-degree student complete the Non-Degree application.
• Note: Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid.

Below are a few of the most common questions we hear from prospective students: 

Application and Admission Questions

• Q: Do I need a degree in Sport Management to be admitted? 
  A: No - it’s an excellent fit for students from any undergraduate major. Some of the more common applicant majors are marketing, psychology, communications, and business management.   
• Q: Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT to gain admission?
  A: No, the GRE or GMAT are not required for admission. 
• Q. What are the acceptance requirements for the M.S. Sport Management?
  A. The following are the requirements for acceptance into the MS in Sport Management:
  >> Regular Admit -  The student has completed their undergraduate program and has a GPA above 3.0 overall.
  >> Conditional Admit - The student has completed their undergraduate program and has a GPA between 2.5-3.0 overall.
  >> Special Circumstances - such as work experience, may be considered in the application process if warranted.
   

Academic Questions

• Q: How is the program delivered?
  A: Classes are delivered 100% online. 
• Q: What are the career options for students graduating with this degree?
  A: Alumni are prepared for positions in a number of roles, like sport marketing, sport sales and sponsorship, event management, facility management, college athletic administration, public relations, fitness consultant, sport psychology, and coaching. 
• Q: Is the M.S. Sport Management a full-time or part-time program?
  A: Students can take classes in the program on a full-time, or part-time, basis. If full-time, the program will be completed in one calendar year. For Part-time students you can complete the program at your own pace.
• Q: How many tracks/concentrations are in the M.S. Sport Management?
  A: There are two concentrations in the MS in Sport Management.
  >> M.S. Sport Management – Sport Management Track
  >> M.S. Sport Management – International Sport Management Track
• Q: How many credits are necessary to complete one track/concentration in the M.S. Sport Management?
  A: You can complete one track/concentration with 30 credits. 
• Q: How many credits are necessary to complete both tracks/concentrations in the M.S. Sport Management?
  A: The two concentrations can be completed with 36 credits total. 
• Q: Can the M.S. Sport Management be completed in one year?
  A: Yes! One concentration or two concentrations can be completed within one calendar year by full-time students. 
• Q: What is the course sequence and timeline for students taking the Field Experience Option?
  A: The format for students taking one or two concentrations in the MS in Sport Management in the field experience option is below: 
  >> M.S. Sport Management - Sport Management Track: Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 553), Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, and SPMG 552), Summer – 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597) 
  >> M.S. Sport Management – Int’l Sport Management Track: Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 554), Spring 9 credits (SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556), Summer – 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597)
  >> M.S. Sport Management – Both tracks above: Fall – 12 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, SPMG 553, and SPMG 554), Spring – 12 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556), Summer 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597)
• Q: What is the course sequence and timeline for students taking the Capstone Option?
  A: The format for students taking one or two concentrations in the M.S. Sport Management in the Capstone option is below: 
  >> M.S. Sport Management – Sport Management Track: Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 553), Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective), Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, and SPMG 552), Summer – 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)
  >> MS in Sport Management – Int’l Sport Management Track: Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 554), Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective), Spring 9 credits (SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556), Summer – 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)
  >> M.S. Sport Management – Both tracks above: Fall – 12 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, SPMG 553, and SPMG 554), Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective), Spring – 12 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556), Summer 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)
   

Accelerated Program Questions

• Q: What is the accelerated program?
  A: The accelerated program allows students in the BS in Sport Management at Commonwealth University to complete their BS and MS degrees in Sport Management in four (4) years and two (2) summers.
• Q: What are the requirements for the Accelerated BS to MS in Sport Management program?
  A: The student MUST qualify for the program by maintaining a 3.0, or above, overall GPA in their undergraduate classes. (Talk to academic advisor, or Grad Program Coordinator if interested).
• Q: What are the benefits of completing the accelerated BS to M.S. Sport Management compared to the BS in Sport Management being completed and then starting the M.S. Sport Management?
  A: The students in the accelerated program benefit in the following ways: 
  >> The student completes their BS and MS in Sport Management in four (4) years and two (2) summers. The summer after their junior year and the summer after their senior year. 
  >> The student completes both degrees with 138 credits total compared to 150 credits if the programs are completed separately. This saves: The amount of time necessary for the student to obtain both degrees. Costs for the student as they only pay for 138 credits. Additionally, up to the first 12 credits of graduate level classes are billed at the undergraduate rate.
• Q: I am in the accelerated BS in Sport Management program. How do I take Master’s level classes?
  A: After you have 60 credits with a GPA at, or above, 3.0 in the BS in Sport Management program you should apply for the MS in Sport Management. This should be completed at least one semester before you look to take any graduate level classes in the MS in Sport Management. Once accepted, you can enroll in graduate level courses.
   

Graduate Assistantships

• Q: What are the requirements for a Graduate Assistantship?
  A: The requirements for a graduate assistantship are available at the following link: Graduate Assistant Positions
• Q: Can students in the accelerated program, who have not completed the requirements for their BS in Sport Management (120 credits), be awarded a graduate Assistantship?
  A: No! the student MUST have completed the requirements for the BS in Sport Management before they are eligible to apply for a graduate Assistantship.